Since 1654 A.D. the Deyo (D'Ioux) family has been here in America. We left the French province of Burgandy (originally 'Bourc') during the Huguenot persecutions there. Today, our former castle there is a tourist attraction at the head of a valley some 60 miles long on the Swiss border to France. Our Family Crest hangs over an ancient fireplace there.

Our family home (above) was built in its original form during 1692. Today it stands on the oldest street in America. It is maintained for the people in New Paltz, New York by the Huguenot Historical Society (Also see Huguenot Museum NY). For even more information, see the Deyo Family Organization's website.

The Chief Engineer who built the New York subway system was our great ancestor, Solomon LeFevre Deyo. Deyos fought and died in the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War and both World Wars.

A US Naval anti-submarine destroyer ship was named after our family and Vice Admiral Morton Deyo. It was the USS Deyo.... A particularly relevant photo was taken of the USS Deyo alongside the Statue of Liberty. Click here to see more on this Spruance Class Destroyer (also see: USS Deyo 989, in Naval Archives.

The USS Deyo (DD989) was a destroyer and by the traditional definition its main mission would be anti-submarine warfare. This mission was accomplished by the Deyo's two helicopters, sonar systems and torpedo capability. Warfighting ships have evolved into multi-mission capable platforms. The USS Deyo had the ability to launch smart Tomahawk cruise missiles against land and sea targets, Harpoon anti-ship missiles and a variety of air defense systems to protect itself and other ships in an Aircraft Carrier Battle Group.

On November 6th, 2003, the USS Deyo (DD989) was de-commissioned after serving America for a quarter of a century. It marks the passing of an era for our family and the nation it served.

My Grandfather, Tobe Acord, was a horseshoer in WWI and my Father, Harold Deyo, was an Army/Air Force pilot and a base commander in the Middle East in WWII. One of my brothers was a naval electronics technician and another an Army Ranger. I served in the U.S. Air Force and was a cadet at the US Air Force Academy. One of my four sons is serving with the Royal Australian Army and another has finished his tour with the U.S. Army.

We are American Patriots - one and all in the House of Deyo.